The survey follows another study by America Online and employee compensation data firm, Salary.com, suggesting that the average US worker wastes 2.09 hours every eight-hour workday – excluding authorised lunch and coffee breaks.
Not all of this time was spent on the internet – although it did come top of the list of employee distractions. Of more than 10,000 workers polled by AOL and Salary.com, 44.7% put web surfing first. Socialising with others in the office was second (23.4%) and conducting personal business was third (6.8%).
Accountemps’ poll of 150 senior executives from some of the largest US companies also found that, while surfing the web may seem like a guilty pleasure, it’s not a secret one. Nearly two thirds of those surveyed said that their organisations monitored employees closely, or somewhat closely.
“Many people are unaware that a permanent record exists of their internet and email use at work,” said Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps. “Most organisations actively monitor web use by employees to ensure it complies with established corporate policy.”
The UK's Information Commissioner, Richard Thomas, has published a code of practice setting out guidance for employers on monitoring employees' internet and email use. The golden rule, he said at the time of its publication, is that, "where monitoring does take place, employees should be made aware of its nature and extent and the reasons for carrying it out. Only in exceptional circumstances will it be appropriate for employers to monitor their employees without their knowledge."
